The first ever World Intellectual Property Day takes place on 26
April 2001, the date on which the Convention establishing WIPO
(the World Intellectual Property Organization) entered into force in
1970. WIPO member states decided at their last annual meeting to
designate this date for special activities to highlight the importance
and practical use of intellectual property in people's lives.
As part of a series of events, WIPO has launched an international
essay competition open to university students. The 2000 word
essay must address the question "What does intellectual property
mean to you in your daily life". It can be submitted in Arabic,
Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. A prize of 1000
Swiss francs will be awarded for the best essay in each language.

Entries must be sent to the WWA by December 1, 2001. The
winners will be announced on World Intellectual Property Day
next year, that is, on April 26, 2002.
For further information, please consult
www.wipo.int. Questions can be addressed to
competition@wipo.int.